Community Almanac

The Town of Payson’s festivities for the Fourth of July begin at 8 a.m., Monday, July 4 with a patriotic ceremony at the Green Valley Park Veterans Memorial on West Main Street. This will be followed in the afternoon by old-fashioned games and fun from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., including sack races, an egg toss, a tug-of-war and foot races. The band Higher Power will present a free concert from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fireworks over the lake will begin at 9 p.m. Parking is limited, so a shuttle bus will pick up guests at the Payson High School administration parking lot (off of McLane Road — follow the signs) and transport them to Green Valley Park beginning at 5:30 p.m. After the fireworks, the buses will return guests to their cars.

Effective immediately, the Social Security Administration will no longer visit the contact station at 303 N. Beeline Highway, located in the Payson Town Hall. The service is discontinued at this location because Congress significantly cut the Social Security administrative budget.

Anyone needing to do business with Social Security should consider using the award-winning online services at www.socialsecurity.gov or call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or visit any Social Security office. The nearest Social Security office is located at 702 W. Jerome, Mesa, AZ 85210.

Book sale and quilt raffle

The Pine Library Friends will have a Fourth of July Book Sale and Quilt Raffle.

The sale is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, July 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, July 2 and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, July 3 at the Library Activity Room located behind the cultural hall at the Pine Community Center.

The Library Friends members will be selling tickets on a Sept. 4 raffle for a quilt made by and donated from the family of Patricia Sogan. She was a member of the Library Friends and was working on the quilt when she died; her fellow members completed it in her honor. The tickets for the queen-sized quilt, appraised at $1,975, are $1 for one or six for $5.

First Friday events

The Time Out Thrift Shop will have a Half-Price Sale Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2. Everything in the shop and on the sidewalk will be sold for 50 percent off the listed price.

The shop is located at 500 S. Beeline Highway (across from Wendy’s) and will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Time Out Thrift Shop supports Time Out Inc., its shelter, transitional housing and other domestic violence programs and services in Gila County.

The Humane Society Thrift Shop, 501 W. Main St., will also have specials for First Friday, July 1 including door prizes and $5 coupons for purchases and more.

The Community Presbyterian Church will have only music from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for First Friday, July 1. No dinner will be served. The church will resume its First Friday feasts in August.

First Friday on Historic West Main in Payson will be celebrated from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. by many of the merchants and galleries on the street. Several also provide a place for a number of nonprofit organizations to raise funds through the sell of refreshments and raffle tickets and feature art demonstrations.

Looking ahead, the Payson Farmers Market is having its annual Pie Baking Contest, Saturday, July 9. Everyone can enter. Only fruit pies will be accepted and entrants can only have one pie considered in the contest. Pie check-in is 8:30 a.m. for 9 a.m. judging.

For more details, go online to www.PaysonFarmersMarket.info.

Fourth of July Arts & Crafts Festival

The 31st Annual Fourth of July Arts & Crafts Festival is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, July 2 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, July 3 at Pine Community Center grounds. The festival features more than 80 original, hand-crafted, juried art booths. There are also food booths, entertainment, a pancake breakfast, clowns, face painting and fun for the entire family.

The event sponsored by the Pine-Strawberry Arts & Crafts Guild. Please visit the Arts & Crafts Guild Boutique to meet local artists, see their work, and sign the guest book. Proceeds from this event help to support to the community.

Cub Scout car wash

Area Cub Scouts will have a car wash in the Walgreens parking lot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, July 2. Proceeds will help to keep the Pack running, with events, awards and covering Scout registration fees. Donations are welcome.

Big Band music Under the Stars

The holiday weekend’s Concert Under the Stars in Green Valley Park features the Big Band music of the Terry McFee Orchestra at 7 p.m., Saturday, July 2. The concert is in the park’s amphitheater area, which has no seating, so bring lawn chairs or blankets and sit back and enjoy the cool evening air and even cooler sounds from one of history’s great eras for music.

The Payson Pro Rodeo Committee is presenting a Chili Cook-Off at the Payson Event Center Sunday, July 3.

This is a CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) sponsored event with both a professional and a local People’s Choice division. The pro contest requires a $15 entry fee, while the local contest has a $10 entry fee.

Admission is $4 per person, which includes a tasting cup and spoon, plus a ballot to vote for the People’s Choice contestants.

Information for entry into the cook-off is at the Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce office or call (928) 595-0731. Admission tickets may be purchased at the chamber in advance or at the event center gates the day of the competition.

Elks Independence Day Celebration

The Payson Elks will have a charity benefit, open to the public. The 2011 Independence Day Celebration is Sunday, July 3.

Hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips, beans and corn on the cob will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Beer, soft drinks and dessert all may be purchased.

Live music by Goin’ 4 Broke will be presented from noon to 2 p.m. There will also be a flag ceremony, patriotic songs, horseshoes and games for children.

The Payson Elks Lodge is at 1206 N. Beeline Highway.

Moose Red, White and Blue Celebration

The Moose Lodge in Star Valley will have a Red, White and Blue Celebration beginning at 11 a.m., Sunday, July 3.

There will be fun, food, games and more, including a dunk tank. Enjoy burgers and brats, along with beans and chips for just $4 per plate.

RoseLyn will provide music.

The event is a benefit for the Hellsgate Fire Department and Moose Charities

July 4 Monday

Payson’s patriotic party

The Town of Payson’s festivities for the Fourth of July begin at 8 a.m., Monday, July 4 with a patriotic ceremony at the Green Valley Park Veterans Memorial on West Main Street. This will be followed in the afternoon by old-fashioned games and fun from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., including sack races, an egg toss, a tug-of-war and foot races.

The band Higher Power will present a free concert from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fireworks over the lake will begin at 9 p.m.

Parking at Green Valley is limited, so shuttle service will be available. Starting at 5:30 p.m., a shuttle bus will pick up at the Payson High School administration parking lot (off of McLane Road) and transport to Green Valley Park. After the show, the buses will return guests to their car. Follow signs to the Payson High School administration parking lot. This will be the main pick-up and drop-off point.

Calvary Chapel Vacation Bible School

Are your kids ready for adventure? Then they won’t want to miss a minute of The Egypt File where they will solve an amazing mystery, enjoy songs, crafts, games, goodies and dramas.

The Egypt File, Decoding the Mystery of Life, is the Calvary Chapel’s Vacation Bible School. It is open to children ages 3 (potty trained) to 5th grade. It will be held from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., July 4 (yes, the Fourth of July) to July 8 at Calvary Chapel Payson, 1103 N. Beeline Highway.

For information, call (928) 468-0801 or go to email ccpmary@qwestoffice.net.